Biography

Education

1997 Habilitation (Physical Chemistry), Universität Heidelberg, Germany

1992 Dr. rer. nat. (Chemistry), Universität Heidelberg, Germany

1988 Diplom (Chemistry), Universität Heidelberg, Germany

Employment

2023 – present Faculty Director, Center for Entrepreneurship, University of Michigan

2019 – present  DTE Energy Professor of Advanced Energy Research, University of Michigan

2013 – present Arthur F. Thurnau Professor, University of Michigan

2012 – 2018    Associate Vice President for Research (50%), Engineering and Nat. Sciences, University of Michigan

2007 – 2012    Faculty Advisor to International Programs (40%), College of Engineering, U. Michigan

2005 – present Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

2001 – 2005    Adjunct Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Michigan Technological Univ.

1997 – 2005    Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor

1995                 International Fellow, SRI International, Menlo Park, CA

1994 –1995     Exchange Scientist, Sandia National Laboratory; Fellowship DFG

1993 – 1997    Akademischer Rat, University of Heidelberg, Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut, Germany

1993                 Exchange Scientist, Sandia National Laboratory

1989 – 1993    Senior Research Scientist, University of Heidelberg, Physikalisch-Chemisches Institut

Honors and Awards

2023 ASEE Ralph Coats Roe Award

2023 ASME Edwin F. Church Medal 

2021 Royal Society of Chemistry Spiers Memorial Award

2019 DTE Energy Professor of Advanced Energy Research

2018 President's Award for Distinguished Service in International Education

2018 Fellow of The Combustion Institute

2015 ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award

2013 Arthur F. Thurnau Professor

2012 John F. Ullrich Education Excellence Award

2012 SAE International Leadership Citation

2012 Rackham Master's Mentoring Award

2008 The Silver Combustion Medal, The Combustion Institute

2007 SAE Fellow

2007 College of Engineering Service Excellence Award

2007 SAE International Faculty Advisor of the Year Award

2007 Michigan Leadership Advisor of the Year Award (for work with the Formula SAE team)

2006 Harold C. Simmons Award with James D. Smith, Institute for Liquid Atomization and Spray Systems

2006 Distinguished Paper Award with Claudia M. Fajardo, The Combustion Institute

2006 Faculty of the term, Pi Tau Sigma, Michigan Pi Rho Chapter

2006 Outstanding Student Group Advisor Award, CoE Epeians

2006 Outstanding Student Group Advisor Award, Society of Automotive Engineers

2004 SAE International Excellence Award in Oral Presentation

2003 ME Award for Outstanding Faculty Achievement

2002 SAE International Excellence Award in Oral Presentation

2001 ME Teaching Incentive Award for outstanding performance in education

1999 MEAM Teaching Incentive Award for outstanding performance in education

1999 Forest McFarland Award, SAE International

1997 Venia Legendi and Privatdozent, University of Heidelberg

1994 Research Fellowship, German Science Foundation